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Adobe reader will not open Windows 11

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
October 16, 2021
4 replies
32025 views

I can not open Reader, either by opening a PDF or by opening the app directly. I am using Windows 11.

I have tried uninstalling/reinstalling. Running repair. Rebooting. I have also tried downloading from the windows store and from adobe's website, and no luck either way.

When I try to open Reader I get the blue loading circle, and never goes away. Help appreciated!

Correct answer S_S

I have reinstall my Adobe Acrobat Reader 64 and still not working.
I cannot open all PDF files. This happened yesterday, suddenly and I do not know what happened.

I have reinstall Adobe Acrobat Reader 64 several times and nothing happened / changed.

Can you help me ?

Thank you very much for your understanding !

Hi @cristian_2472,

Hope you are doing well. Sorry for your experience with Acrobat Reader not opening.

We would like to understand how you are launching the application. Is it by double-clicking the app icon, or double-clicking a PDF file on your explorer?

Can you try vice-versa and let us know how it goes?

Also, could you update the app to the latest version (2025.001.205xx) and let us know if the issue is fixed for you?

You can download the installer from here: https://adobe.ly/3I8hvNq

If the issue persists, please share a few more pieces of information for further investigation:

1. A screen recording of the event for better understanding.

2. Logs from your machine: https://adobe.ly/4l1gBRA. Please make sure Procmon is selected. You can upload logs using this tool and share your Unique log ID with us.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Souvik.

T

Terez38779443lywi

Participant

Restart Window Explorer. When you encounter the preview pane not working for PDF issue on Windows 11, you can also try restarting Windows Explorer. To do that, you just need to open the Task Manager window, right-click Windows Explorer from the running process list, and select Restart from the drop-down menu.

M

mteljeur

Participant

Windows 11 user uptodate.

All above suggestions didn't solve problems incl. execute as admin.

For me Adobe Reader is useless at this moment I have installed a (temporary I hope) pdf reader from an other brand.

Awaiting a solution or further recommendations.

S_S

Community Manager

@mteljeur Sorry for the experience!

Would you mind getting on a call with me?

This will help me get a better understanding of the issue and try out a fix in real time.

If yes, plese let me know and I will share a link over email, so you can schedule a call at your convenience.

-Souvik

S

Sony29944891447t

Participant

My Issue Got resolved by going through the Steps mentioned in this troubleshooting website: Error - A running instance of Acrobat has caused an error (adobe.com)

J

jackm47225180

Participant

How to Fix Adobe Reader Icon not opening when clicked.

1. Right Click on Adobe Reader Desktop Icon and select Properties.

2. Select Shortcut Tab.

3. Click on the Advanced button.

4. Check the Run as administrator box.

5. Click OK, then click OK to close the Adobe Acrobat Properties box.

This works for other adobe programs that won't open when you click on their icon, e.g., photoshop.

J

jackm47225180

Participant

I fixed the problem clicking on the icon to open as described previously, but I couldn't right click on a pdf and use open with Adobe Acrobat, or right click on a photo and use open with Adobe Photoshop. The following step fixed the problem completely.

1. Uninstalled Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Photoshop.

2. Do an inplace upgrade of Windows 11.

3. Reinstalled Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Photoshop.

Now both apps respond as expected when I right click their icon or click on a pdf or photo and use open with.